The Day an Ironclad Warship Changed Naval History

160 years ago today, on March 8th 1862, an ironclad warship engaged in battle for the first time. The CSS Virginia, more commonly known at the time as the Merrimack, was NOT the world's first ironclad warship ever constructed. But she was the first to engage in battle, sailing out into Hampton Roads to confront a Federal squadron of traditional wooden vessels. The ensuing clash sent shockwaves around the world, ushering in a new era of naval technology and firepower. The age of wooden warships ended on March 8th.

And tomorrow, March 9th, would see another "first." A Union ironclad, USS Monitor, arrived at Hampton Roads to confront the rebel monster and engage in the world's first ironclad-on-ironclad duel. Join us TOMORROW here on Little Wars TV as we wargame the action on the tabletop, on location at Newport News.

Today's video is part of an ongoing "On to Richmond" series, where we follow the progress of George McClellan's campaign up the Virginia peninsula to the gates of Richmond, 160 years later. Subscribe to the channel and join the march!